Bert, a minister who shares insights and parenting tips on his blog Bert Fulks, also has the privilege of working with kids who are in addiction treatment.

The dad of three learns a lot from his work with kids who are overcoming addictions, and is quick to apply these lessons to his own parenting.

So, when the kids in the support group told him they often stayed in uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situations just because they didn’t have an easy way out, he realized something: kids need escape routes.

Bert got to talking with some kids in an addiction support group that he works with, and learned that almost all of them could have benefited from a solid exit plan at one point or another.

He writes: “Recently I asked these kids a simple question: ‘How many of you have found yourself in situations where things started happening that you weren’t comfortable with, but you stuck around, mainly because you felt like you didn’t have a way out?’ They all raised their hands.”

So, he decided that whenever his own kids were at a friend’s house, a dance, or a party, they would have a special code word to get them out as quickly as possible if they needed it.

“All he has to do is text the letter ‘X’ to any of us (his mother, me, his older brother or sister). The one who receives the text has a very basic script to follow. Within a few minutes, they call Danny’s phone. When he answers, the conversation goes like this:

“Hello?”

“Danny, something’s come up and I have to come get you right now.”

“What happened?”

“I’ll tell you when I get there. Be ready to leave in five minutes. I’m on my way.”

At that point, Danny tells his friends that something’s happened at home, someone is coming to get him, and he has to leave.”

This is the perfect solution for Danny, or any other kid looking for a similar plan.

Sending an anonymous text that looks like a typo is the perfect way to inconspicuously alert your parents that something is up and get an immediate exit plan.

Bert also emphasizes that the plan is meant as a safety measure, and that the kids don’t have to say a word to Mom and Dad about the situation if they don’t want to. They also can’t get in trouble for using the code.

In other words, if one of the kids decided to drink a beer or smoke a cigarette before realizing that the situation is out of control and calling home, he or she will still feel comfortable getting Mom or Dad’s assistance.

If the teen is worried about getting in trouble, there’s a chance that he or she will try to stick it out at the party and end up in a worse scenario.